November16, 2006

WASHINGTON, DC –Today the House Armed Services Committee heard
testimony from General John Abizaid and Ambassador David
Satterfield on the current situation in Iraq. Ranking
Member Ike Skelton (MO) made the following statement
regarding the need for a new approach to the situation in
that country.

"Our
committee hasn’t held a hearing on Iraq since General
Abizaid was here last March. With the way things are
going in that country right now, it is clear that this
hearing is long overdue. Congress needs the honest
advice of our military leaders. Hopefully, having
received that, Congress and the Administration can move
toward a common bipartisan understanding of how to achieve
progress in Iraq.

"The Battle
of Baghdad, a decisive battle akin to Midway in World War II,
is not progressing well. Iraqi security forces are not
performing up to standard, and the Iraqi government has not
shown the political will to take on the militias, which will
be key to national security.

"We need a
new direction in Iraq that moves toward the redeployment of
American forces. The administration must look carefully
at our objectives in Iraq: whether they are achievable, by
what means and whether they are worth the cost in money,
lives and military readiness.

"I am very
interested in the findings to come from the Baker/Hamilton
Study Group, as well as the group convened by General Pace to
examine options for the way ahead. This is the central
issue for today’s military.

"As we move
forward in a bipartisan way, support for effectively training
the Iraqi Security Forces is a common thread among us.
This effort must be a partnership between the Iraqis and
us. We have to put enough of the best American trainers
toward the effort and ensure that they are properly trained
in how to build stable Iraqi units.

"I am pleased
to hear that General Abizaid agrees that we need more
qualified U.S. troops in position to train the Iraqi Security
Forces."